Lose the Blue is back for basketball season Jan. 28 vs. Michigan. At the game Wednesday, fans are asked to donate any gently-used blue items of clothing. Collection bins will be provided by Goodwill Columbus at all entrances.

During the drive in November, the donation bin located in the Ohio State Official Team Shop in the Jerome Schottenstein Center was in a state of constant overflow. Everything from blue and yellow Hawai’ian shirts to blue stocking caps, jeans and flannels draped over the side of the donation bins all week.

“The Team Shop had overflowing bins each of the days,” Karen Dertinger, Ohio State manager of trademark and licensing services, said. “The press conference was a huge hit with President Gee kicking off the program with his blue bowtie donation. I want to thank everyone for all their help.”

The Ohio State Department of Athletics and the Ohio State University Trademark and Licensing Services Department run the “Lose the Blue” clothing drive annually during the week when the Michigan and Ohio State football teams renew their storied rivalry.

In 2007, more than 6,000 pounds of clothing were donated during the “Lose the Blue” drive.

About Ohio State Athletics The Ohio State University Department of Athletics sponsors 36 fully funded varsity teams 17 for women, 16 for men and three co-educational. The department is committed to providing its more than 1,000 student-athletes with the finest in academic and athletics support in order to ensure a quality and life-enhancing experience. The Department of Athletics is completely self-supporting and receives no university monies, tax dollars or student fees. In Fiscal Year 2008-09, the Department of Athletics will transfer back to the University more than $26 million in assessments, including nearly $13 million in grant-in-aid costs.